Snow Patrol dazzle at awards

But the attention was not all on the awards being handed over as bands including rockers The Feeling, Pussycat Dolls, Amy Winehouse, Kaiser Chiefs, Director, The Blizzards, as well as Westlife and Ronan Keating set the venue hopping.

Presenter comedian Deirdre O’Kane donned a showgirl outfit as she entertained the packed Point Theatre, along with television’s bachelor brothers Podge and Rodge.

Screams drowned out the presenters as Kaiser Chiefs performing Ruby were the first band to rock the stage.

After her performance, Amy Winehouse, dressed in a black and red busty dress with her long black hair piled up on top of her head, said: “I might go say hello to the Kaiser Chiefs. I don’t get to go home much at the moment and the Kaiser Chiefs remind me of Camden.”

Home-grown favourites – Westlife- scored for a seventh year in a row as they walked away with the Best Irish Pop Act.

The boy band strolled down the red carpet accompanied by their wives and partners including Taoiseach’s daughter Georgina Ahern and Hollyoaks star Jodie Albert, who donned a low-cut burnt-gold Gucci dress for the occasion.

Snow Patrol, who are due to tour Europe, Australia and New Zealand before returning to North America, also secured the public’s vote in the Best Live Performance category. They went on to win the Best Irish Album for Eyes Open and the Most Downloaded Irish Song Award.

Lightbody said: “We spent most of this year in the State’s as we are doing very well over there. The only time we are going to play in Ireland this year is Oxegen (correct) so we are really looking forward to that.”

The band has broken into the US market with Eyes Open selling over a million copies there.

The rockers are giving 10% of royalties from sales of Open Your Eyes to a major Save the Children campaign. Their record label, Polydor, has agreed to match the donation.

The song, which featured in the first episode of the new series of hit US drama ER, is out in the UK and Ireland on February 12.

Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy scored a hat-trick as he took the Best DJ award for the third time.

Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey and television comedian PJ Gallagher from Naked Camera presented boxer Damien Dempsey with his award for Best Irish Male.

He fought off competition from David Kitt, Van Morrison, Mundy, Fionn Regan and Duke Special to be crowned Best Irish Male.

Dempsey thanked all of his fans for the award. As he walked off the stage, he said: “Have a great night my friends keep singing all your fears away.”

The sultry tones of Luan Parle ensured she walked away with the Best Irish Female in a category that saw her compete against Moya Brennan and Eleanor McEvoy.

Both Bob Dylan and Robbie Williams failed to knock Justin Timberlake from his throne as Best International Male, while Lily Allen took Best International Female.

Dublin band Director’s single Reconnect has proved a chart hit and propelled the band to the Best New Irish Act accolade.

Best International Band went to the Scissor Sisters, while the Best International Album went to Arctic Monkey for ’Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’.

Radio veteran Larry Gogan was presented with the Industry Award at the event.

It was presented in recognition of the 2fm DJ’s contribution to Irish music and his support of up-and-coming acts.

Paul Brady, director of The Belvedere Youth Club, was presented with the Humanitarian Award together with a cheque for €100,000.

Previous recipients of the award include Sir Elton John, Christina Noble, Bono, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Adi Roche and Father Peter McVerry.

Celtic music stars Clannad were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award. The band, fronted by Moya Brennan, have sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.